Chairman suggests Lafourche Parish Council may buck judge's order on meeting procedure

Tuesday

Jul 9, 2002 at 12:01 AM

Crystal BonvillianNYT Regional Newspapers

THIBODAUX -- The Lafourche Parish Council is reportedly planning to discuss removing at least one member of the public board that oversees Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, but the matter does not appear on the agenda for tonight's meeting.

Council Chairman Darryl Marlbrough said on during a radio program Monday morning that the council is considering replacing hospital board member Skipper Holloway with Cleveland Hill, dean of education at Nicholls State University.

Marlbrough said Monday afternoon that the issue could be taken up at tonight's meeting if one of the councilmen pulls the topic from minutes of the June 25 Board of Appointments and Permits Committee meeting. Asked if "pulling from the minutes" violates a recent court ruling on the matter, Marlbrough said he doesn't believe so.

District Judge John E. LeBlanc of Thibodaux has ruled that the council's practice of pulling items from minutes of previous meetings is improper.

LeBlanc's ruling, issued in March, says "the practice of `pulling from minutes' and other actions which limit debate or contravene the ordinance procedure shall . cease."

LeBlanc recently declined to comment on whether the ruling was meant solely for ordinance procedure or for council business in general, saying he could not comment on a judgment being appealed.

Marlbrough argued that the council sets policy by resolution and can bring up items from the minutes of previous meetings.

"If we choose to, we can pull it," he said. "Any of the councilmen can do it."

The Parish Council first publicly discussed increasing the hospital board from five to six members at its June 25 committee meetings. The discussion was met by fierce opposition from Thibodaux hospital doctors and staff members.

State law, which was reaffirmed last week by an opinion from council lawyer Carlton J. Cheramie, indicates the number of board members cannot be increased without first gaining permission from the state Legislature.

Councilman Charles "Chuck" Banta III said June 25 if the board were not increased to six members, he would vote for anyone fellow Councilman Jerry Jones wants to replace Holloway. Banta said it was part of a deal he and Jones struck two years ago.

Monday morning on KLRZ radio, Banta again spoke of the deal he made with Jones. He also expressed doubt about Cheramie's opinion, saying the lawyer "doesn't know what he's talking about."

Marlbrough said after the June 25 meeting that the reason for adding a sixth board seat would be so other interested citizens could have the chance to serve the hospital district. He said adding a sixth member would give "another avenue" to those current members reluctant to leave.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Barrios Center in Raceland.